Question: Can we get a budget memo on the concerns raised by the Alexandria Community Services Board January 10, 2024 health professionals compensation letter to City Council? (Mayor Justin Wilson)
Response:
The Virginia General Assembly allocated funding to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) earmarked for Community Services Boards across the Commonwealth for the purpose of increasing staff salaries. The Alexandria Community Services Board (ACSB) within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) was allocated approximately $1.3 million dollars for ACSB staff salaries. The allocation from the General Assembly was intended to raise salaries by a total of 5.0%.
The City Manager’s FY25 Proposed Budget provides a 2.0% pay scale adjustment and a merit step increase which ranges between a 2.3% and 5.0% increase depending on the employee’s current step on the pay scale. The funding received from DBHDS will be used to fund these proposed pay increases along with City general fund dollars. The funding received from DBHDS combined with the City Manager’s proposed pay scale adjustment and merit step increase will be used to help fund the proposed salary raise for ACSB staff.
In addition, the City has approved increases in two critical areas in the behavioral health system during the current fiscal year. Authorization was given to provide a 5% increase for two long-term DCHS/CSB psychiatrists employees. The City has also increased the pay for Emergency Services staff during this current fiscal year based upon a compensation study of these positions which was completed by the Department of Human Resources in February 2022.
The competition in the region for a limited number of applicants for both licensed and non-licensed staff continues to be a significant challenge. It is hoped that these pay increases along with a focus on other elements of compensation will address the critical vacancies currently being experienced.
Attachments
Attachment 1: Community Services Board January 2024 Letter